One handle control for loaders

ABSTRACT

A lever fixed to a shaft having a system of grooves with spherical balls therein. Upon movement of the shaft in, out, or around, the balls open and close particular electrical circuits while activating implement movement by the creation of unbalance in other circuits.

United States Patent 1 1 Lark et al. 45 June 5, 1973 [54] ONE HANDLE CONTROL FOR 1,976,534 10/1934 Apple.... "338/198 X LOADERS 3,072,757 1/1963 Gluck ..200/16 D 3,665,137 5/1972 Puemer ..200/153 LA [75] Inventors: Wayne W. Lark, Clarendon Hills; 2,716,874 9/1955 Wiley ..338/198 X Marvin D. Jennings, Naperville, 3,372,359 11/1968 Wilson ..338/ 128 both of I11. 3,488,611 1/1970 Harper ..200/153 LA [73] Assignee: International Harvester Company, Primary Examiner mchard Wilkinson Chlcago, Assistant Examiner-U. Weldon 22 Filed: 1 1972 AttorneyFloyd B. Harmon 21 Appl. No.: 222,495 57 ABSTRACT A lever fixed to a shaft having a system of grooves [52] US. Cl ..338/128, 338/198 with sph rical balls therein, Upon movement of the [51] Int. Cl. ..Hlc /00 shaft in, out, or around, the balls open and close par- Field of Search 6 16 ticular electrical circuits while activating implement 200/153 LA; 338/128-134, 198-201 movement by the creation of unbalance in other circuits. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 719,991 2 1903 Brown ..338 200 'L 22 2a a 3O 2o 74 42 32 Z 64 I26 5 is, E 1 4 36 1o 6 \A w 44 I az 132 Z 1'30 12 49 19o 50 T61! \\\W "k i "'\1=1 Q' 1 l 76 t 1:? If;

I a i x J 138 I82 20 I 9 510 2 13 144 16g 1;; H (l O 9o Q 166 I28 I I 5 4 8476 2 I T .1 all l o o H 89 1 1164 1. 150 g w v I I \9) I I l- +4- \76 {Patented 'June 5, 1913 3,737,830

3 Sheets-Shoot 1 5 IO 02 132 :30 I2 146,

Patented June 5, 1913 3,737,830

3 Sheets-Shoot 2 Patented June 5, 1973 3,737,830

3 Sheets-Shoot 3 ONE HANDLE CONTROL FOR LOADERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an electronic incorporating control mechanism which activates a number of different mechanical functions, and more particularly, to a single lever that can actuate implement movement in several planes.

It is advantageous to provide a multiple control lever to avoid the provision of a large number or series of separate levers that would create space problems and operator confusion. Thus, levers of this type are provided which, by the movement in several planes; results in the performance of a number of implement operations.

In general, however, multiple control levers are very complex, expensive, and lacking in the ability to prompt movement of the implement in more than one plane at any one same time. That is, with gear activation, lever jamming can result if the lever is displaced in a manner such that several control gears are engaged simultaneously.

The present invention relates to a control mechanism whereby a plurality of implement movement may be activated simultaneously without jamming. The mechanism further employs a simple electronic activation system which avoids the problems and expense inherent in a gear activation system.

It is an object of this invention to provide a control system which can prompt the simultaneous activation of an implement in two planes.

Still another is to provide a control system that may simultaneously activate several operations without jamming.

Yet another object is to provide a lever which is easily repaired, of a simple design and inexpensively manufactured.

A further object is to provide an electronic hydraulic control system which eliminates the mechanical linkages and levers associated with hydraulic systems.

Another object is to provide a control system having the capacity of being lockable in a predetermined posi tion causing the associated implement to also lock-in.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by reference to the following specifications and drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an axial vertical section of the invention as attached to the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of FIG. 1', FIG. 3 is a front view of the lever illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a section on lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing a cross section of a potentiometer through the supporting shaft;

FIG. 5 is a section along the section line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing a cross section of the collar adjacent its juncture of the open end cylindrical member; and

FIG. 6 is a section on lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 showing a cross section through the supporting shaft.

This invention incorporates a control circuit for front end loaders as disclosed in pending application Ser. No. 112,537 filed Feb. 4, 1921. As disclosed a series of potentiometers, two or more being located in a given circuit, are employed to accomplish the desired result. By creating imbalances between the potentiometers in the circuit the operator is able to automatically move and position the front end loader. As stated therein, the

master potentiometer is set by the operator and then brought into the total circuitry by the closing of a tap switch thereafter. The slave potentiometer is moved to match the master potentiometer setting. A series of several circuits each having a master as well as slave potentiometer are provided to automatically move the implement through a digging cycle of positions.

It may, however, become necessary for the operator to manually and continuously control the setting of the master potentiometer, it is to this means that this invention is directed. That is, a simple, inexpensive means whereby the operator can automatically and simultaneously cut out the above mentioned automatic circuitry, and activate and control a second set of master potentiometers manually. The second set of potentiometers control the same boom and bucket positions as did the automatic potentiometers, all of the circuitry being the same with the exception of the substitution of master and slave potentiometer systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to a detailed description of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings wherein reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the one handle control or multiple control unit means is designated by the numeral 10. The control unit comprises a rectangular collar means 12, having a base means 14, and a hollow cylindrical cam means 16 having a bottom cover means 17. The base 14 is fastened to the frame portion means 18 of a vehicle (not shown) by bolts, a weld or other suitable means.

The open end cylindrical member 16 carries a lever shaft means 20 for actuation and control of the implement. The lever shaft 20 is centrally located in member 16, having an upper section means 22 extending thereabove and a lower section means 24 extending downwardly thereinto. Positioned on the top section 22 of the shaft 20 is an operating head means 26, of sufficient size and design such that the operator can maintain a grip thereupon. Mounted on the shaft 20 below the handle 26 is a sheet metal disk means 28, such that it supports the operatorshand and prevents collapse of the rubber boot means 30. The boot means 30 is apertured through its center to permit passage of the shaft 20 and adapted and sized to form a seal with the top 32 of the cylinder 16 preventing exposure to moisture, dirt, etc. Secured to the inner surface means 34 of the cylindrical member 16 by a suitable means is a cylindrical ring member means 36 which contacts surface means 34 around its inside diameter 38. The inner rectangular shaped surface means 40 (shown'in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the ring 36 comprises an angled or tapered portion means 42, a flat shoulder portion means 44, a beveled edge means 46 located on the front side 48 of the rectangular surface 40 and a corresponding vertical portion 50 located on the other three sides of the rectangular surface 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner rectangular surface 40 in the preferred embodiment defines a generally square aperture 54. The lever shaft 20 passes through the center of the aperture 54 and through correspondingly apertured plates 56 and 58. Plate 56 is secured to the bottom 60 of cylindrical member 36 by a suitable means, plate 58 being in turn secured to plate 56. I

At the lower extreme 24 of the shaft 20 is secured,

by suitable means, a ball means 76 or part thereof. A compression spring-means 78 carried in a cylindrical sleeve 80 continuously urges the ball 76 and shaft 20 away from the cylindrical member 36. This arrangement is known as a deadmans means which compels the operator to constantly exert pressure on the operating head 26 to hold the lever shaft 20 in an engaged position.

The ball member 76 is positioned within a member, such as a socket means 82, which-has an inner face 84 such that the face 86 of the ball 76 slidingly engages therewith. It is to be understood that the ball and socket is the preferred embodiment, however, any force transferring means acting between said shaft and lever shaft transferring'movement therebetween would be satisfactory.

Extending upwardly and away from the outer surface 88 of socket member 82 is a flange member means 90. The lower extreme 92 of flange member 90 is fixedly secured to the outer surface 88 of socket member, the

upper extreme 96 thereof being fixedly secured to a contacting shaft means 98. The linkage relationship between lever shaft 20 and contacting shaft means 98, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is such that as the lever is moved into phantom position A the contacting shaft is pulled from a neutral position out of cylindrical member 16. In phantom position B the shaft is pushed into cylindrical member 16, while in positions C or D shaft 98 is simplypivoted around its major axis either to the left or to the right.

The contacting shaft 98 is slidingly and pivotally mounted, eccentrically, in a cylindrical collar or bushing means 100, which serves as a guide for horizontal and pivotal movement. The collar 100 has a front extreme means 102 and a rear extreme means 104. The front extreme 102, as shown in FIG. 5, extends into a compression bracket means 106, which is welded to a bracket means 108. The configuration of bracket 106, (as shown in FIGS. 2 and is such that it outlines generally a key hole, the bracket 108 has a correspondingly shaped aperture for junction therewith. The

bracket 108 is welded to a curved plate means 110 which, in turn, is secured-to cylindrical member 16, a sealing gasket being interposed therebetween. The keyhole defining bracket 106 is welded to bracket 108 only on edge 112, such that edge 114 is flexible about point 116. The bracket 106 is apertured at 118 and 120 to suitably receive the shank 122 of a bolt-124 which is designed for threaded engagement with a nut 126. Thus the front extreme 102 of collar 100, having shaft 98 carried eccentrically therein, is placed within the bracket 106 and secured therein by the engagement of bolt 124 and nut 126.

As shown in FIG. 1, shaft 98 journals collar 100 eccentrically the lower wall means 128 thereof thus, being thicker than the upper wall means 130. The lower wall 128 has aperture means 132 and 134, which,

due to the thickness of the wall, can rotatably accommodate and carry ball means 136 and 138. The upper part 140 of ball 136 is rotatably accommodated in a horizontal or channel groove means 142 out in shaft 98. The upper part 144 of ball 138 is similarly positioned in circumferential groove or port means 146 which extends around the shaft 98.

As shown in FIG. 6, welded to surface 148 of collar 100 is an elongated bracket 150 that extends down and under collar 100. Referring back to FIG. 1, snap switch means 152 and 154 are mounted on the bracket 150 such that the switch activation devices and 162 contact the lower parts 164 and 166 of balls 136 and The snap switch means 152 and 154 control the cutting in or out of the circuits which control the automatic implement control means, as disclosed in application Ser. No. 112,537. Thus, it becomes apparent that when the lever 20 is actuated, the shaft 98 will follow'causing one or both of the balls 136 and 138 to run up on one or more of the shoulder means 164, 166, 168, 170 of grooves 142 and 146, forcing the balls down to actuate the devices 160 and 162 thereby cutting out the corresponding circuitry. In practice, switch 154 cuts out the automatic boom circuit and switch 152 cuts out the automatic bucket circuitry, neither of the circuits being shown.

Upon the actuation of the manual control lever the automatic boom and bucket circuitry is cut out of the system and it is apparent that a corresponding set of manually controlled circuits are needed. In the preferred embodiment of this invention as shown in FIG. 1, a manual bucket potentiometer 172 is provided at the end 174 of the contacting shaft 98, and a manual boom potentiometer 178 is provided at the end extreme 176 of elongated bracket 150. The bucket potentiometer 172 has its major axis parallel to said shaft 98, and said boom potentiometer 178 has its major axis perpendicular to said shaft 98.

Bucket potentiometer 172 is threadingly mounted in a bore 180, such that the potentiometer adjustment shaft 182, journals the bore and is fixedly mounted therein and follows any movement thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, potentiometer 172 is linked to potentiometer 178 by a wire means or angle wire means 184. The first leg 186 of wire 184 is pivotally secured in channel 190 of bracket 192, the second longer leg 188 being fixed in potentiometer adjustment stem collar 194. The bracket 192 is journaled by the thread carrying section 196 of the housing 198 of potentiometer 172 and held in fixed relationship therewith by bolt 200. The longer leg 188 is slidingly fixed in potentiometer collar 198 which, in turn, is journaled by the adjustment shaft 202 of potentiometer 178, the frame 204 thereof being fixed to bracket 150.

Thus, as shaft 98 is rotated around its major axes, potentiometer adjustment shaft 182 of potentiometer 17 2 moves correspondingly, creating an impulse which activates the bucket circuitry, the housing of potentiometer 172 being held in a fixed position against rotation by wire 184. As discussed previously, the rotational movement caused ball 136 to move down, cutting out the automatic bucket circuitryv thereby giving the operator full manual control of the bucket.

When shaft 98 is urged into cylindrical member 16 or out thereof, leg 186 follows therewith, causing leg 188 to pivot potentiometeradjusting shaft 2020f potentiometer 178, which activates the boom circuitry.

Therefore, it becomes evident that as lever shaft is actuated a corresponding movement is transmitted to shaft 98 such that the desired manual circuits are activated with the simultaneous de-activation of the automatic circuits.

As was discussed previously, pivot finger 74 when urged forward against inner surface 40 serves as a pivot point for shaft 20. Existing simultaneously with this pivoting action is a downward urging force supplied by compression spring 78. In combination therewith the operator can push downon head 26 as he pivots on finger 74 to cause the edge 68 of plate 64 to slide down the beveled edge 46 into a locking'position. As is apparent this locks certain electronic circuits in an open fixed position overcoming the dead man. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the electronic circuitry is arranged such that this locking position actuates the implement to assume a floatposition. Thus, the operator can lock the lever shaft causing the boom to assume a floating position, supported by the ground surface, and thereupon use both hands to re-position the vehicle, etc. It is apparent that any implementposition can be arranged to so lock-in simply by rearranging the circuitry.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention a mounting panel means 206 (as shown in FIG. 6) is provided. Panel means 206 serves as a convenient central mount for master potentiometer means 208, 210, 212 and 214 employed in the automatic circuitry as disclosed in application Ser. No. 112,537.

We have provided a multiple control assembly employing electronic means for translating operator movement into electrical implement prompting signals.

The assembly includes; a supporting means carrying a lever shaft means in pivotal relationship thereto; a collar means fixed to the supporting :means including a bushing journaled by a shaft, a means for actuating and de-actuating automatic electronic circuitry, a means for varying the impedance of first and second potentiometers simultaneously with the tie-actuation of the associated automatic electronic circuitry; and a lever means acting between the lever shaft means and the shaft means translating movement therebetween.

In view of the various modifications of :the invention which will occur to those-skilled in the art upon consideration of the foregoingdisclosure without departing from the spirit or scope'thereof, only such limitations are indicated by the appended 2. The controlassembly of claim '1 wherein said aper- I tured ring means comprises; an outer circumference in contactfwith' said cam means, and an inner rectangular surface comprising; a tapered portion, a flat shoulder portion, and a beveled edge portion.

3. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said universal movable lever shaft means includes; a deadmans means.

4. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said transfer lever means acting between said contacting shaft and said lever shaft includes a ball and socket means and a bracket means.

5. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said electronic actuating and de-actuating means comprises;

said contacting shaft having a horizontal groove means and a circumferential groove means;

first and second snap switch means,

a first and second ball means, each positioned part in one of said apertures, part in one of said grooves and contacting said micro switch means.

6. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said first potentiometer has an adjustment means, said means securing said potentiometer to said contacting shaft and having its major axis parallel to that of said contacting shaft.

7. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said wire means includes;

first and second leg means, said first leg being pivotally secured to said first potentiometer, said second leg being slidingly secured to said second potentiometer adjustment stem means.

8. The control assembly of claim 2 wherein said universal movable lever shaft includes:

a square pivot plate means pivoting on said flat shoulder portion; and 4 a'pivot finger means pivoting on said tapered portion locking said lever shaft in'a fixed position.

9. A multiple control assembly employing:

a hollow cam means including a ring, a universally movable lever shaft means having a first end extending out of said cam means and a second end journaling said'ring, said second end having a ball and socket means; collar means fixed to said cam means including; a bushing having apertures and being eccentrically journaled by a shaft means, said shaft having a first and second end means, a-lever link means fixing said first end to said socket such that movement of said lever shaft means is transferred to said shaft means, said shaft means having horizontally extending and circumferentially extending groove means, said grooves being located adjacent said apertures in said bushing, each carrying a rotatable ball means, said ball means extending in part into said grooves and in part out of said apertures contacting an electronic circuitry actuation means, first and second potentiometer means lying vertically apart and having their adjustment shaft means perpendicular to each other, said first potentiometer adjustment shaft means fixedly journaling said second end of said shaft; and

a bracket means pivotally and slidingly securing said shaft means includes:

second potentiometer adjustment shaft means to a square pivot plate means, pivoting on said ;flat 531d Shaft meansshoulder portion means;

10. The control assembly of claim 9 wherein said ring comprises; an outer circumference in contact with said cam means, an inner rectangular surface comprising; a tapered portion means, a flat shoulder portion means, and a beveled edge portion means. means downwafd- 11. The control unit of claim 10 wherein said lever a pivot finger means pivoting against said tapered portion means; and a compression spring means urging said lever shaft 

1. A multiple control assembly employing electronic cam means including; an apertured ring means secured therein, a universal movable lever shaft means extending vertically and pivotally journaling said ring; a collar means fixed to said cam means including; a bushing means having apertures and being eccentrically journaled by a contacting shaft means, a transfer lever means acting between said contacting shaft and lever shaft to translate movement therebetween, each of said apertures carrying ball means for actuating and de-actuating electronic circuitry; a first potentiometer means secured to said shaft, said first potentiometer responding to rotational movement; and a second potentiometer fixed to said first potentiometer by a wire means responding to sliding movement of said shaft.
 2. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said apertured ring means comprises; an outer circumference in contact with said cam means, and an inner rectangular surface comprising; a tapered portion, a flat shoulder portion, and a beveled edge portion.
 3. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said universal movable lever shaft means includes; a deadman''s means.
 4. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said transfer lever means acting between said contacting shaft and said lever shaft includes a ball and socket means and a bracket means.
 5. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said electronic actuating and de-actuating means comprises; said contacting shaft having a horizontal groove means and a circumferential groove means; first and second snap switch means, a first and second ball means, each positioned part in one of said apertures, part in one of said grooves and contacting said micro switch means.
 6. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said first potentiometer has an adjustment means, said means securing said potentiometer to said contacting shaft and having its major axis parallel to that of said contacting shaft.
 7. The control assembly of claim 1 wherein said wire means includes; first and second leg means, said first leg being pivotally secured to said first potentiometer, said second leg being slidingly secured to said second potentiometer adjustment stem means.
 8. The control assembly of claim 2 wherein said universal movable lever shaft includes: a square pivot plate means pivoting on said flat shoulder portion; and a pivot finger means pivoting on said tapered portion locking said lever shaft in a fixed position.
 9. A multiple control assembly employing: a hollow cam means including a ring, a universally movable lever shaft means having a first end extending out of said cam means and a second end journaling said ring, said second end having a ball and socket means; a collar means fixed to said cam means including; a bushing having apertures and being eccentrically journaled by a shaft means, said shaft having a first and second end means, a lever link means fixing said first end to said socket such that movement of said lever shaft means is transferred to said shaft means, said shaft means having horizontally extending and circumferentially extending groove means, said grooves being located adjacent said apertures in said bushing, each carrying a rotatable ball means, said ball means extending in part into said grooves and in part out of said apertures contacting an electronic circuitry actuation means, first and second potentiometer means lying vertically apart and having their adjustment shaft means perpendicular to each other, said first potentiometer adjustment shaft means fixedly journaling said second end of said shaft; and a bracket means pivotally and slidingly securing said second potentiometer adjustment shaft means to said shaft means.
 10. The control assembly of claim 9 wherein said ring comprises; an outer circumference in contact with said cam means, an inner rectangular surface comprising; a tapered portion means, a flat shoulder portion means, and a beveled edge portion means.
 11. The control unit of claim 10 wherein said lever shaft means includes: a square pivot plate means, pivoting on said flat shoulder portion means; a pivot finger means pivoting against said tapered portion means; and a compression spring means urging said lever shaft means downward. 